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So... on 5/18/12 I finally had the opportunity to see my film “The Next Day” with an audience thanks to Mike D. and Reelblack.com. I was in and out during the screening so I didn’t have the opportunity to see the total reaction, but folks seemed to laugh where they were supposed to and no one walked out, which is always a good sign.
After the film was over, the lights came up and Mike D. introduced me. We sat down for the Q and A. The second question was more of a comment. A woman stood up and said: “I have to be honest. I didn’t get the point of the film. I don’t know why you made it. Nothing made sense to me. Everything you said in your intro? I didn’t get any of that from viewing the film. What were we supposed to conclude? Nothing was solved.”
My response was something like, ”I appreciate your honesty.”
Fast forward to the end of the thirty minute Q and A session. A few people wanted pictures and had additional questions which I answered. I looked at my watch and realized that I was about to miss my train, so I rushed out and made it just in time.
As I walked to my seat on the train, I saw the woman who told me she didn’t see the point of my film.
She reiterated that she didn’t get the point of the film. Why did the female protagonist continue to pursue a man who clearly did not want her? And what was the guy's problem? Why was he so selfish and controlling? We talked for a few minutes... and then it was revealed.
She said: “This is probably too much information but the film reminded me of my relationship with my college boyfriend. He was always so mean to me but on paper we should have made a great couple. I could never figure out what his problem was.”
She went on to say that, even now, ten years later, she wonders if she knew what his problem was, whether they could have solved it, and made it as a couple.
My train stop came, and before I got off of the train she said: “In your next movie try and get into the guys mind so we can learn why men think the way they do.”
As I waited for my connecting train, I thought about our conversation and realized that she saw the female lead do the same things she had done, and didn’t like seeing, essentially, her story on screen. The fact that she didn’t like it is a clear indication that I did my job as a filmmaker. I told the truth. Period.
Whether you like it or not will be determined by your life experiences. I have no control over how you react to what I present, nor do I want to control it. I want your reaction to be visceral.
I guess the lesson to be learned here is that an accolade will not always look or sound like an accolade. It may sound like: “I didn’t really like your film.”
THE NEXT DAY website: http://botnfilms.blogspot.com/
10 Comments
william clark | July 12, 2012 10:46 PM
congrats Al know you been busy glad to see your film get out there we met on vimeo and im coming to the film fest in atlanta hope to meet you in person very inspiring take care
al | July 11, 2012 8:39 AM
The reason I wrote this is not because I wanted to reflect on the quality of the storytelling but to share my realization that , IMHO , ones response to a film is sometimes completely out of the hands of the filmmaker. Most of the feedback I received the night of the screening was positive . My point is this, think about the film that you believe is a cinematic masterpiece. An Oscar winner maybe. Go to IMDB and you'll see plenty of folks that hated the same film. I've read comments where folks questioned the quality of "The Shawshank Redemption " which in many circles is considered a cinematic masterpiece. If 50 out of 100 have the same issue with your project that's one thing. Each individual opinion is valid but that opinion is largely shaped by factors outside the control of the filmmaker as the response to material is often based on ones life experiences. If you're terrified of black dogs and you go to see a movie about a black dog there is a good chance you won't like the movie.
BluTopaz | July 10, 2012 1:59 PM
I would not necessarily call this type of feedback an "accolade"; but it's good to regard it as glass half full. That's why Q&A sessions can be very useful, you can get these replies first hand that you might want to consider going forward.
Willie dynamite | July 10, 2012 12:23 PM
I must applaud you in how you handled her comment. Some "filmmakers" get REAL sensitive when they hear something like that. Kudos.
In echoing what justsaying said. If you establish a clear concise theme it will solve the problem she had. You may have told the truth by presenting the situation frankly which is a great thing but as a story teller you want to incorporate that element that elevates a story which is the theme. It gives the viewer the reason why they are investing in this story. Robert Mckee talks about it in depth in his book Story, as does Syd Field, and Blake Snyder.
Helluva | July 10, 2012 10:54 AM
Sounds like she's someone who only wants "happy" endings or "positive" images onscreen. Ha! May the truth set you free...
justsaying | July 10, 2012 10:40 AM
Is the **primary** goal to tell the truth by mirroring life, or providing the most compelling and captivating story within the world that the film inhabits? âIn your next movie try and get into the guys mind so we can learn why men think the way they do.â I think she may be reflecting on the need for more character development and story so that she or people who are experiencing this story for the first time have a greater investment in the film overall. Always something to improve next time around...
Dankwa Brooks | July 10, 2012 10:40 AM
Good post! Thanks for sharing!
al | July 10, 2012 10:23 AM
Thanks for the post Tambay. If you are interested in seeing "The Next Day" :
7/21/12 San Francisco - International Black Women's Film Festival http://festival.ibwff.com/,
8/10 & 11 Chicago - Black Harvest Film Festivalhttp://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/
8/17/12 Atlanta - Peachtree Village International Film Festival http://www.pviff.com/.